Child-centric travel and multi-generational travel, according to a recent survey by the Preferred Hotel Group, is one of the biggest trends in the travel industry. Time-pressured parents who, even more so over the last few years of financial turmoil, are working crazy hours, juggling child-care arrangements and organising after school activities, want to spend their precious time off with their little ones and extended family, spending quality downtime without sacrificing service or style.

This increasingly busy family life where parents have a schedule, which has expertly been arranged like a jigsaw of pick-ups and drop offs, for parties, swimming lessons, football, gymnastics and the other myriad of activities which are organised can often mean that chilled out relaxing time is not experienced very often.  In these days where family time is being squeezed it is even more important for families to ensure that there time together is special and the luxury travel industry are taking note.  
 

Luxury hotels and resorts are organising more and more exciting activities and services for the whole family and offering more facilities making it easier for families to pack up and go. Gone are the kids clubs situated in a dark room at the end of the hotel. Now hotels are providing imaginative activities for the whole family to get involved in from learning about the local eco system to family spa treatments. They are also offering “baby-go-lightly” services, baby-proofing rooms and even providing mini dressing gowns and slippers for the discerning youngsters! Hotels and resorts are also beginning to understand that interconnecting rooms which cannot be guaranteed are not going to cut it and are now building family-sized rooms, suites and even villas to accommodate families whilst on holiday.
 

Luxury and Little Ones (www.luxuryandlittleones.com) a new online travel company specialising in luxury child-friendly accommodation which was set up by Kathryn Wright, a mum of two little ones, has landed in the midst of this upsurge in luxury family travel. Since its official launch in January this year Luxury and Little Ones has scooped 3 awards for its services to helping families arrange, organise and book that all important holidays for busy families both in the UK and abroad. 
 

Kathryn, a commercial property lawyer previously says, “When I was searching for hotels and holidays for my family I wanted a “go to” website where I could find a luxury, child-friendly hotel or resort and search for exactly our requirements – whether that was a hotel in the UK with a playground, a catered ski chalet which had all of the baby and toddler supplies I needed when we got there or a hotel abroad which offered children’s activities during the day. I began to do some research for a hotel for our next break but found it took a lot of searching to be able to find exactly what we were looking for. I thought that if I was struggling to find a place then others parents must be in the same position so I decided to set up an online travel company to do just this; so Luxury and Little Ones was born.”
 

Here are some of Luxury and Little Ones’ favourite places which offer fantastic services and facilities for families wanting a luxury family holiday:
 

Polurrian Bay in Cornwall is stunning and has a complimentary crèche, kids' club, even its own cinema, and is in walking distance to the beach. There are one- and two-roomed family suites, a beautiful Vista lounge with views across the bay where you can relax, curl up and enjoy the view and a spa where you can enjoy some ‘me’ time.
 

Four Seasons Hotel London at Park Lane is a fabulous option for families visiting London. The hotel goes out of its way to make children feel spoilt with welcome amenities, complimentary baby products and child-proofing of rooms and IPads for the kids to use in the restaurants so mum and dad can enjoy a stress free meal time, to name a few. It is also in a perfect location right next to Hyde Park so plenty of space to run off some energy.
 

At Lucknam Park, Wiltshire children can pretend to be cowboys and girls and book a pony ride (available for children from 3 and older) or take part in a family hack around the grounds.  If you don’t fancy a ride on the real thing check out the rocking horse in the hotel’s outdoor adventure play area, complete with a triple tower play system, swings for infants and separate swings for children. Don’t stop there though why not borrow the hotel’s go carts, bikes or scooters for a race around the grounds.  With advance notice the hotel can even arrange for tennis coaching, falconry and clay pigeon shooting.
 

Chewton Glen is a fabulous place for a traditional family holiday. The hotel sits nestled amongst the beautiful scenery of the New Forest and just a short walk from the sea - with spectacular rooms and treehouses for you to choose from for your family stay. There is a hotel kids club at weekends and in school holidays where there is some supervised fun with painting and puzzles, train sets and story time, plus lots more activities to keep our youngest guests entertained whilst Mum and Dad have a chance to spend a little time in the spa, or just catching up. There are Lilliput-sized mallets on the croquet lawn, tiny racquets by the tennis courts, short golf clubs on the putting green and miniature bicycles, including a trailer for the very little ones in the cycle racks for a family bike ride.
 

Abama Golf & Spa Resort is a 160 hectare ‘finca’ tucked away in Guía de Isora, a tranquil and little known area of the island of Tenerife. This is a first class resort which is a home away from home for visiting families. Great for families travelling with babies and toddlers as the hotel can provide a whole host of baby and toddler items before your arrival.
 

Daios Cove is nestled in Crete’s extraordinary landscape. The views are spectacular and the attention to detail for fluxury family holidays second to none. Daios Cove is geared up for families, with a child-friendly beach, pool games are arranged in the hotel’s children’s pool and babysitting services, baby products can be provided including baby phones, bottle warmers and sterilisers, a kettle, baby bath and baby changer, pushchair, toilet seat, potty, stool for the wash basin, stair gates and pool fence for those in a room with private pool. There is a huge option of room types to choose from from doubles to family villas with private pools to accommodate the whole family.
 

Or why not try something a little different and opt for “Glamping” at the fabulous Moomba Lodge. Moomba Lodge is part of the Pagel child centred holidays in South West, France. Their aim to create a magical place that allows families to spend time together, create memories that last a lifetime and to have fun and laughter!
 

For some winter fun Chalet Prarion provides a true luxury ski in ski out experience. For the children there is a games room including a fully sized pool table, Wii and games, home cinema and DVDs. The chalet offers a free Nanny service and there is also dedicated children’s entertainment between 4.30 and 6.30pm so parents can relax after a day on the slopes. The children’s entertainer will assist as required with preparing the children for ski school and can provide a drop-off and collection service between 8:00am and 10:00am and 2:30pm and 4:30pm. The chalet also has all of the baby equipment you may need including sterilisers, child safety seats and children’s cutlery. The large luxury hydro therapy hot tub will ensure you can relax prior to dinner (or after) and enjoy a glass of wine in a great mix of soothing jets. You can also opt for an optional massage (charges apply) or a deeply satisfying uninterrupted hydro therapy hot tub.
 

The Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi is dedicated to providing an experience that goes beyond 5 star luxury; offering a unique service tailored to your needs. The Palace’s dedication to excellence is something that makes visiting it something you will remember for a long time; many families return to this hotel year after year. There are water sports, a variety of bicycles, skateboards, children’s spa treatments and even a water park with a waterslide, a lazy river ride and a cascade fountain.
 

Zighy Bay in Oman is a stunning resort with a wide variety of accommodation set in a beautiful indigenous village style and the private marina is spectacular, with the dramatic mountains on one side and sandy beach at Zighy Bay, on the other. There are activities organised every day for the little ones including supervised movies in the early evening so parents can enjoy sundowners in this fabulous resort.
 

Explore a bit further afield the Maldives and stay at the stunning LUX* Maldives resort.  Here the little ones can become the next Andy Murray and play Teddy Tennis. For the less sporty why not get into the spirit of the “Great British Bake Off” and find one of the cake decorating bars where you can choose from a variety of pre-baked cakes and cupcakes and, with a helping hand from one of LUX*’s pastry chefs create your own masterpiece.
 

Or opt for the Four Seasons Kuda Huraa, an enchanting garden island where the whole family are welcomed like family. Some ideas of what the kids might get up to…island exploration, island gardening, sand castle building and beach games or cooking classes and mini-spa days. Complimentary baby and children's toiletries including nappies, baby wipes, bottle warmers can all be provided. If the hotel knows your little ones’ names before arrival there are even personalised and laminated infant menus and a take home baby bib. Upon request your room can be childproofed and you can have a cot with ocean-themed linen. If you are travelling with a baby just ask and a changing mat and pushchair can be placed in your room for your arrival.
 

Immaculate white sand and exotic gardens ensconce the elegant Residence Mauritius beach resort. Your personal butler will tend to your every need as you relax, rejuvenate and take in this exquisite, luxury, child-friendly hotel. Children can romp around the 400 square metres of club area dedicated just to them, enjoying the conviviality of the house or the fun of the playgrounds in the surrounding gardens. Families can enjoy activities including sports competitions, face painting, hikes and picnics, glass-bottom boat tours, theme days and pony rides. 
 

Visit Frégate Island, a private island of outstanding natural beauty where conservation and the preservation, protection and nurture of the unique flora and fauna is central to its owners philosophy.  Capture your children’s imagination with a tour, either at your own families pace, or ask for a tour with one of the islands resident ecologist. Look out for the Seychelles-Shama Thrush, wade through forests of the extraordinary Coco der Mer palms and giant Banyan trees and encounter the magnificent Aldabra giant tortoises.
 

Viceroy Anguilla is an elegant, modern hotel with a dramatic bay-view making this a stunning luxury Caribbean resort. The two white sand beaches, sunset pool, an array of water sports, a spa and fitness center, and programs for children make this a real find for families wanting to leave it all behind and spend time together enjoying life without the modern technology getting in the way.
 

Visit the beautiful island of Langkawi and stay at the luxurious, family-friendly Four Seasons Langkawi resort. Get away from it all with the kids and choose from exploring the hidden secrets of Langkawi mangrove forests where you can uncover bat caves and secluded coves or for the more adventurous try your hand at air-trekking - a unique and novel way to experience and see the canopy level of one of the world’s oldest rainforest. Get up close and personal with native plants, birds, animals and butterflies. Swing across cables, abseil and try a spiderweb climb.
 

Or for that once in a life time trip why not safari at Ulusaba, Richard Branson’s Private Game Reserve. Although under 6’s are only allowed on the Game Drives at the Manager’s discretion there is still plenty for youngsters to see, explore and experience.  Children are encouraged to learn about the region and take part in cultural arts and crafts activities including musical instrument making, coloured sand art and an afternoon of rock painting. There is a mini Ranger’s course where the little ones (known as Cub Rangers) will learn about the African bush and how to track and identify animal footprints and dung droppings, they will be taken on safari walks to spot birds, insects, lizards and anything else the Cub Rangers may find.

Please contact info@luxuryandlittleones.com or visit www.luxuryandlittleones.com for any enquiries.